One Parish One Prisoner Update
Back in December 2025 our team asked for your prayers as our then-incarcerated friend, James, prepared for his resentencing hearing. With grateful hearts, we want to share that James was released from prison on December 23, 2025, and is currently starting the newest chapter in his life journey in the Seattle area! Our team was able to meet with him in person in Olympia on February 22, 2026 our first chance to hug and share his joy and excitement.
For those who are not familiar with the OPOP program or James, here is a refresher on our four-year journey: The OPOP program, run by Underground Ministries in Mount Vernon, WA, connects churches with incarcerated individuals at least a year before they are released. The goal is to build relationships of trust so they can be embraced by a supportive community upon release. St. Joseph began its OPOP journey with James back in December 2021, and over four years, the team has developed a faithful relationship and friendship.
On December 23, the judge in The Dalles ruled in James’ favor on his request for resentencing, and James was granted immediate release the same day! The ruling was based on James’ documented work to turn his life around, community recommendations, and changes in Oregon law regarding relevant sentencing guidelines.
James immediately moved to the Seattle area under the sponsorship from members of the Just Us Solutions team who provide housing, employment and much first-hand experience to help him through the initial re-entry hurdles. James is working with a company that offers support to other former inmates and he has plans for his own company to offer trauma-informed fitness and nutrition coaching from his own experience. James is extremely busy with the daily challenges of re-learning the ins and outs of daily life—driving again and navigating a busy metropolitan area, the noise and pace of a big city, shopping, cooking, meeting new people, speaking engagements, news, and the complexities of modern technology! James is quick to say that he has learned to put God first in his life, and that keeping God at the center of his life grounds him as he navigates this transition.
While James seems to be thriving with the support of Just Us Solutions, as well as friends and family, he knows he is just beginning a long journey. Our OPOP team will continue to accompany him from a distance, and pledge to share the joys and challenges of his journey; and encourage and pray for him as his situation evolves.
We ask that you join us in continuing to pray for James.